Abstract:Based on the development requirements of green, low-carbon, and cost-effective pavement, the Hunan Yongling high-speed pavement project changed the underlayer type from the traditional hot-mix asphalt mixture to the cold-mix and cold-laid asphalt mixture. The skeleton-embedded lock continuous type dense gradation (CAC-20C) was designed, and through the proportion of plant-mix emulsified asphalt mixture, the optimal water content and emulsified asphalt dosage of CAC-20C emulsified asphalt mixture were determined to be 4.2% and 6.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the double-layer and multi-step mixing equipment was used to prepare the mixture, and the plant-mix emulsified asphalt mixture with uniform coating was obtained. Finally, combined with the laboratory test and field test results, it is found that the high-temperature rutting resistance and water stability of both the indoor-mix and the plant-mix emulsified asphalt mixtures met the requirements of the specification. There is a significant interlocking effect among the coarse aggregates within the mixtures, which provides excellent structural stability for the mixture. The pavement compaction tested in the field all reached the requirements, and the void ratio was slightly higher than the design value. In addition, microstructural characterization results indicate that after the emulsification was complete, the dispersed structure inside the emulsified asphalt mixture would be connected by the asphalt film and the cement hydration products into a dense whole. This is one of the reasons why the emulsified asphalt mixture has good mechanical strength and water stability.